According to The Capital Times (July 31), veterans advocate Jason Johns said the two military organizations he represents ( Military Order of the Purple Heart of Wisconsin and Veterans of Foreign Wars of Wisconsin) and the American Legion Department of Wisconsin are opposed to a bill meant to curtail asbestos lawsuits, which Gov. Walker had signed into law earlier this year.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate voted 93-3 on a measure meant to ease healthcare delays for veterans by allowing vets to get care from private providers if they can't get an appointment at a VA facility, opening more VA clinics, and hiring additional medical staff. VA officials would be able to more easily fire or demote employees for inadequate job performance, too.

In 2007, the Milwaukee area was picked to host the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. In anticipation of this annual event, the motorcycle “Ride for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games” was developed in 2006 to help raise awareness of the games and raise funds to offset the cost to send Wisconsin paralyzed vets to the Games. This year’s Games will be in Tampa, Florida.

On Wednesday, Senate Republicans blocked a bill to provide jobs and job training for veterans. ( Senate rules required 60 votes to move the bill forward. It fell 2 votes short. All the Democrats voted yes, but most of the Republicans voted no)

"On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War." Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars " ---per History.com

The Huffington Postinforms us that the non-partisan group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Action Fund, as part of its Congressional report card, gave Sen. Barack Obama a “B+” grade for his voting record on issues such as additional funding for combat body armor, post-traumatic stress disorder and other medical treatment. Sen. John McCain got a "D" grade.

My previous blog post about Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties Support Our Troops Day (Saturday, May 31) mentioned two scheduled events: 1) The 2008 RIDE for the Wheelchair Games, a motorcycle rally to raise awareness and funds to send Wisconsin paralyzed veterans to the 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Omaha, Nebraska and 2) Reclaiming Our Heritage, a free-admission, living history event with encampments from all the major military eras in U.S. history.

“Nearly 200,000 Americans are currently serving in the armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. This Veterans Day, many Americans will be hoping not only for their safety on the battlefield, but for compassionate care and secure shelter for the veterans once they return”---- excerpt from Adam Phillips’ report published 11/10/07 in Voice of America News.